Ok...so last time around the OSU "coach beats up other team" strategy against Clemson didn't go down as well as we all hoped. What's that saying about even the best layed plans...??

What's our strategy to beat them this time? Can we borrow Clowney from USCe on Jan 3rd?? Maybe we can pay the head ball coach to make some more quotes about Clemson to get into their head a bit more?

I'm guessing score early and often is our only hope in this one. Hopefully there is some plan to target our tight ends more often and that we feature Hyde and maybe even leave him in on 3rd and 4th and short plays?? I think we should be able to score at least 5-6 touchdowns against Clemson. Not sure if it will be enough.

I have no idea what to do about the D. Maybe leaving Pitt Brown back in Columbus and letting Bell or one of the other younger D backs give it a chance? Also, I think MSU's pass rush/edge containment scheme in the late 3rd and 4th quarters may be a good way to approach Taj Boyd.

What will be more telling about this game to me (other than W or L and said outcome's perception of the team) is how well Urban does putting together a game plan AND motivating these kids to get up for this game. Rumors are that the overall vibe in the post CCG locker room was one of relief that we lost. Of course not b/c they wanted to lose, but more likely b/c of the all the pressure they played under as the season (and the win streak) progressed.

A week ago they were staring the NCG in the face, now they are in the relatively meaningless Orange Bowl, against a team with something to prove.

Criminals in this town used to believe in things...honor, respect."I heard your dog is sick, so bought you this shovel"

16 mill in paper is a "BIG" deal to everyone. So we'll enjoy the sunshine.

We got schooled on the chalk board & the field. Dantonio won this game in the first quarter by holding onto the ball for 10+ minutes and stopping us on our first drive. It "f%^7cked" us up mentally. Urbs forgot about Guapo with a lead.....?????????????????????

Heurman or whatever is a good TE but you can't expect him to make that block on a 2nd team OLB with a BIG chip on his shoulder. Guapo could've stumbled forward for the 1st down.

Their athletes have been coached up and played their asses off. Our D....well we all know their shortcomings. How? I don't know coz lookin at the MSU roster...we didn't lose too many recruiting battles to Sparty. Our guys come with more Bling.

I am betting Urbs & the boys rise to the occasion and grind down Clemson.

old veteran Woody could of taught that young whipper snapper Dontre Wilson a thing or two about how to punch someone who's wearing a football helmet. Gotta like that Tysonesque inside upper cut, probably a bit more effective than Dontre's right cross to the facemask---and Woody was late 60's during that Gator bowl game??

Its as meaningful as a exhibition game can get, and I will watch it for the same reason I watch the Browns exhibition games, to get my football fix, and gauge where the team is for the upcoming season.

"I don't think they're building chemical weapons in Berea. But they might be. I can't say for sure."Chuck Klosterman

Neither team playing for the title was ranked in the top 10 pre season wise and one of them wasn't ranked at all.

GA and FLA were both top ten in the preseason polls.

Mich St was somewhere around mid 20's. They're playing for the title this year if they beat ND.

Pretty sure Buckeyes will be ranked. And now there are four spots to play for. Just don't lose if you're a B1G team.

They were borderline getting in this year even if they beat MSU. They were in, but peeps were wanting them out. Taking an out of conference thrashing this year will certainly have implications next year. Handle Clemson like FSU did and you save some face. Get handled and by god you better win every game by fitty next year. Committee or not.

Neither team playing for the title was ranked in the top 10 pre season wise and one of them wasn't ranked at all.

GA and FLA were both top ten in the preseason polls.

Mich St was somewhere around mid 20's. They're playing for the title this year if they beat ND.

Pretty sure Buckeyes will be ranked. And now there are four spots to play for. Just don't lose if you're a B1G team.

They were borderline getting in this year even if they beat MSU. They were in, but peeps were wanting them out. Taking an out of conference thrashing this year will certainly have implications next year. Handle Clemson like FSU did and you save some face. Get handled and by god you better win every game by fitty next year. Committee or not.

I don't believe they were borderline this year at all. I think that's another media-driven pile of horseshit. They win they're in vs. MSU.

The level-headed people out there knew full well an undefeated Big10 team was going to that game no matter how much they hated the thought.

And they won't handle Clemson like FSU did which is part of the point. They don't have the defense that FSU has nor the talent on that side of the ball in general. Which is why a shitty MSU offense put 35 on them.

I'm not buying that the bowl game sets them up for success or failure next season. They'll be better off losing to Clemson, fixing that pathetic defense and putting up wins next year than if they somehow wax Clemson 63-44, don't fix the defense and win next year like they did this year.

I get the whole national championship is the goal thing but come on, we're talking about the Orange Bowl here not the Buffalo Wild Wings, 8-5 season bowl.

This game has a chance to be one of the best bowls this year. Two top 12 teams, two great offenses, Friday night game--big national audience against a "fast" southern school. We win and we should finish in the top 5 in the polls. All kinds of future recruits are going to be watching this game. I think the game means a lot for the program.

Last year sucked with no OSU team playing in a bowl game. Hell, many years we would give our left nut to play in the Orange Bowl...plenty of years we were in worse bowls. It's a Friday night game, crack open some beers and enjoy it!

Gotta imagine (as I have no other frame of reference) that going to a bowl game is a pretty damn good time. Hell, going to regular season games is a pretty damn good time and my frame of reference there is the few Buckeye games I've seen in State College.

Still haven't been to the 'Shoe for a Buckeye game. Had my chances and offers, but Fall Saturdays are pretty much filled up calendar-wise til the girls are outta high school/fall sports.

For me, all sports are really just about entertainment so a highly entertaining game like this one is about as meaningful as sports get. I agree that playing in and winning a national championship game is of course "bigger".

With regards to recruiting, one game won't by itself change too many recruits decisions. But an overall track record of success particularly in big bowl games certainly helps. It's probably one of the factors that contribute to why a school like OSU consistently recruits well and a school like Indiana or Purdue doesn't.

For me, all sports are really just about entertainment so a highly entertaining game like this one is about as meaningful as sports get. I agree that playing in and winning a national championship game is of course "bigger".

With regards to recruiting, one game won't by itself change too many recruits decisions. But an overall track record of success particularly in big bowl games certainly helps. It's probably one of the factors that contribute to why a school like OSU consistently recruits well and a school like Indiana or Purdue doesn't.

You're right, of course. There are farther reaching factors. And to be fair, the Orange Bowl should at least be entertaining. The scoreboard might short out.

I'm saying that a win or loss just won't make much of a difference. Not this year and not necessarily for next year. If Oklahoma outbores and outscores Alabama in the Sugar Bowl it won't affect the recruiting at Alabama (IMO) any more than the recruiting at OSU will be affected by this year's Orange Bowl. And I don't believe it will affect the chances of the Buckeyes or the Tide to reach the playoff next season. Nor does it matter to me if OSU finishes 4th or 12th in the final poll when bowl season ends. Higher would be nicer than lower, obviously, but in the long run....meh.

Neither team playing for the title was ranked in the top 10 pre season wise and one of them wasn't ranked at all.

GA and FLA were both top ten in the preseason polls.

Mich St was somewhere around mid 20's. They're playing for the title this year if they beat ND.

Pretty sure Buckeyes will be ranked. And now there are four spots to play for. Just don't lose if you're a B1G team.

They were borderline getting in this year even if they beat MSU. They were in, but peeps were wanting them out. Taking an out of conference thrashing this year will certainly have implications next year. Handle Clemson like FSU did and you save some face. Get handled and by god you better win every game by fitty next year. Committee or not.

I don't believe they were borderline this year at all. I think that's another media-driven pile of horseshit. They win they're in vs. MSU.

The level-headed people out there knew full well an undefeated Big10 team was going to that game no matter how much they hated the thought.

And they won't handle Clemson like FSU did which is part of the point. They don't have the defense that FSU has nor the talent on that side of the ball in general. Which is why a shitty MSU offense put 35 on them.

I'm not buying that the bowl game sets them up for success or failure next season. They'll be better off losing to Clemson, fixing that pathetic defense and putting up wins next year than if they somehow wax Clemson 63-44, don't fix the defense and win next year like they did this year.

YMMV

MMDV

Had tOSU played in a BCS bowl last year and gotten waxed by a team that got waxed by one of the teams playing for the title, you still think they are #2 pre-season? I don't. And being #2 before the season did them no good throughout the season (not that it matters) and were just about the only team that could be undefeated throughout the regular season and STILL had someone nipping at their heels.

Neither team playing for the title was ranked in the top 10 pre season wise and one of them wasn't ranked at all.

GA and FLA were both top ten in the preseason polls.

Mich St was somewhere around mid 20's. They're playing for the title this year if they beat ND.

Pretty sure Buckeyes will be ranked. And now there are four spots to play for. Just don't lose if you're a B1G team.

They were borderline getting in this year even if they beat MSU. They were in, but peeps were wanting them out. Taking an out of conference thrashing this year will certainly have implications next year. Handle Clemson like FSU did and you save some face. Get handled and by god you better win every game by fitty next year. Committee or not.

I don't believe they were borderline this year at all. I think that's another media-driven pile of horseshit. They win they're in vs. MSU.

The level-headed people out there knew full well an undefeated Big10 team was going to that game no matter how much they hated the thought.

And they won't handle Clemson like FSU did which is part of the point. They don't have the defense that FSU has nor the talent on that side of the ball in general. Which is why a shitty MSU offense put 35 on them.

I'm not buying that the bowl game sets them up for success or failure next season. They'll be better off losing to Clemson, fixing that pathetic defense and putting up wins next year than if they somehow wax Clemson 63-44, don't fix the defense and win next year like they did this year.

YMMV

MMDV

Had tOSU played in a BCS bowl last year and gotten waxed by a team that got waxed by one of the teams playing for the title, you still think they are #2 pre-season? I don't. And being #2 before the season did them no good throughout the season (not that it matters) and were just about the only team that could be undefeated throughout the regular season and STILL had someone nipping at their heels.

So you're saying that if they lose to Clemson they're in trouble next season but by being #2 in pre season polls ths year (by virtue of not playing at all last bowl season) it does them no good because everyone hates them (except for the people who made them 2nd in the poll this past preseason)?

I'm not sure why they're going to go down and play the Orange Bowl then. Which makes it probably worse than meaningless.

Neither team playing for the title was ranked in the top 10 pre season wise and one of them wasn't ranked at all.

GA and FLA were both top ten in the preseason polls.

Mich St was somewhere around mid 20's. They're playing for the title this year if they beat ND.

Pretty sure Buckeyes will be ranked. And now there are four spots to play for. Just don't lose if you're a B1G team.

They were borderline getting in this year even if they beat MSU. They were in, but peeps were wanting them out. Taking an out of conference thrashing this year will certainly have implications next year. Handle Clemson like FSU did and you save some face. Get handled and by god you better win every game by fitty next year. Committee or not.

I don't believe they were borderline this year at all. I think that's another media-driven pile of horseshit. They win they're in vs. MSU.

The level-headed people out there knew full well an undefeated Big10 team was going to that game no matter how much they hated the thought.

And they won't handle Clemson like FSU did which is part of the point. They don't have the defense that FSU has nor the talent on that side of the ball in general. Which is why a shitty MSU offense put 35 on them.

I'm not buying that the bowl game sets them up for success or failure next season. They'll be better off losing to Clemson, fixing that pathetic defense and putting up wins next year than if they somehow wax Clemson 63-44, don't fix the defense and win next year like they did this year.

YMMV

MMDV

Had tOSU played in a BCS bowl last year and gotten waxed by a team that got waxed by one of the teams playing for the title, you still think they are #2 pre-season? I don't. And being #2 before the season did them no good throughout the season (not that it matters) and were just about the only team that could be undefeated throughout the regular season and STILL had someone nipping at their heels.

So you're saying that if they lose to Clemson they're in trouble next season but by being #2 in pre season polls ths year (by virtue of not playing at all last bowl season) it does them no good because everyone hates them (except for the people who made them 2nd in the poll this past preseason)?

I'm not sure why they're going to go down and play the Orange Bowl then. Which makes it probably worse than meaningless.

Which is exactly why it isn't meaningless. They are in about as big of a no win situation as one could be. Winning big won't be as impressive as FSU winning @ Clemson. Winning close will be "barely better than a team that got crushed at home by FSU" and losing will be downright embarrassing.

Shit the bed in this game and you make the climb next year even harder.

Those same people that made them #2 in preseason made them #3 after week 1 and #4 after week 2 because they didn't "win pretty enough". Not saying anyone hates them. Saying the people that are/were voting are influenced by a whole shitload of factors. And this bowl game will be one of them.

Neither team playing for the title was ranked in the top 10 pre season wise and one of them wasn't ranked at all.

GA and FLA were both top ten in the preseason polls.

Mich St was somewhere around mid 20's. They're playing for the title this year if they beat ND.

Pretty sure Buckeyes will be ranked. And now there are four spots to play for. Just don't lose if you're a B1G team.

They were borderline getting in this year even if they beat MSU. They were in, but peeps were wanting them out. Taking an out of conference thrashing this year will certainly have implications next year. Handle Clemson like FSU did and you save some face. Get handled and by god you better win every game by fitty next year. Committee or not.

I don't believe they were borderline this year at all. I think that's another media-driven pile of horseshit. They win they're in vs. MSU.

The level-headed people out there knew full well an undefeated Big10 team was going to that game no matter how much they hated the thought.

And they won't handle Clemson like FSU did which is part of the point. They don't have the defense that FSU has nor the talent on that side of the ball in general. Which is why a shitty MSU offense put 35 on them.

I'm not buying that the bowl game sets them up for success or failure next season. They'll be better off losing to Clemson, fixing that pathetic defense and putting up wins next year than if they somehow wax Clemson 63-44, don't fix the defense and win next year like they did this year.

YMMV

MMDV

Had tOSU played in a BCS bowl last year and gotten waxed by a team that got waxed by one of the teams playing for the title, you still think they are #2 pre-season? I don't. And being #2 before the season did them no good throughout the season (not that it matters) and were just about the only team that could be undefeated throughout the regular season and STILL had someone nipping at their heels.

So you're saying that if they lose to Clemson they're in trouble next season but by being #2 in pre season polls ths year (by virtue of not playing at all last bowl season) it does them no good because everyone hates them (except for the people who made them 2nd in the poll this past preseason)?

I'm not sure why they're going to go down and play the Orange Bowl then. Which makes it probably worse than meaningless.

Which is exactly why it isn't meaningless. They are in about as big of a no win situation as one could be. Winning big won't be as impressive as FSU winning @ Clemson. Winning close will be "barely better than a team that got crushed at home by FSU" and losing will be downright embarrassing.

Shit the bed in this game and you make the climb next year even harder.

Those same people that made them #2 in preseason made them #3 after week 1 and #4 after week 2 because they didn't "win pretty enough". Not saying anyone hates them. Saying the people that are/were voting are influenced by a whole shitload of factors. And this bowl game will be one of them.

And I don't think it'll make any difference, honestly. They weren't #2 this preseason because people suddenly liked them or felt a new found respect for the Big10. They were number two bcause of their reputation, 12 wins, Urban Meyer, B Miller and a path of less resistance to a pretty record.

They'll be a top 6-8 team either way next preseason IF Miller comes back. Maybe 4-7 spots lower if he doesn't. So maybe if the bowl game is the deciding factor for Braxton I'll be swayed more to your side of the argument.

But again, regardless of where they start next season, they run the table and they're in the playoff.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

It will be obvious because as bad as Roby has been at times this year, Armani Reeves is MUCH, MUCH worse. Do you guys remember watching an Iowa TE outrunning him in a footrace? That should NEVER happen, but our corner was not as fast as their 260lb TE!

I have no idea why Reeve's is starting. Burrows actually looked pretty good in his last game at CB. Could not possibly be worse than Reeves... even if he forgot to go on the field on defense, he would be just as good!

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

skatingtripods wrote:Noah Spence dealing with "personal issues". Did not travel with team.

Is everyone else hearing the same thing that I am , that he broke some B1G rule, and took some banned supplement from GNC?

That is exactly what I am reading on various sites. There are lots of rules and the players have to be careful about what they take. It seems really stupid to me, but rules are rules.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

skatingtripods wrote:Noah Spence dealing with "personal issues". Did not travel with team.

Is everyone else hearing the same thing that I am , that he broke some B1G rule, and took some banned supplement from GNC?

That is exactly what I am reading on various sites. There are lots of rules and the players have to be careful about what they take. It seems really stupid to me, but rules are rules.

I wonder what the penalty would have been for taking steroids. Honestly, it probably would not have been much worse than a 3 game suspension. I think it only gets you a 4 game suspension in the NFL!

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

skatingtripods wrote:Noah Spence dealing with "personal issues". Did not travel with team.

Is everyone else hearing the same thing that I am , that he broke some B1G rule, and took some banned supplement from GNC?

That is exactly what I am reading on various sites. There are lots of rules and the players have to be careful about what they take. It seems really stupid to me, but rules are rules.

We have the similar rules in the Army. He probably took either Cellucor C4, or P6 those are the two most common banned products you can buy at GNC, reason being is they are known to false positive for Steroids ,so there is a fear that can be used as a masking product. Plus the C4 can give you a heart attack if your not careful.

That being said it says right on the back of the product in big bold letters that it is a banned substance in the NCAA, and Military, so I have little sympathy for him being a dumb ass.

"I don't think they're building chemical weapons in Berea. But they might be. I can't say for sure."Chuck Klosterman

Got my Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout lined up for tonight. With Roby and Spence out tonight I'm expecting both teams to put up big points.

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug" - Originated from a famous skit in Dave Chappelle's "Chappelle's Show". The skit would portray Rick James, usually high on cocaine, preforming doing crazy and stupid things, such as smacking Charlie Murphy in the face. Rick James would frequently explain away his actions by saying "Cocaine is a hell of a drug".

I guess for the glass is half full crowd, this gives us a chance to see next year's corners and the WDE depth (Marcus and Miller). I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised by both Marcus and Miller. Both have played very well this year in limited reps.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

The defense is inexcusably bad. The whole staff except Vrabel should be fired, TODAY.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

OSU, please, please, please throw to the tight ends - - post route 10-15 yards, the linebackers are cheating up to the line every play, the middle of the field is wide open. Huerman until they start to drop the linebackers into coverage. Then go back to Hyde.

will be very interesting to see how the Clemson Defensive coordinator adjusts at half. Does he keep with the same scheme or change the linebacker and safety responsibilities?

Clemson's scheme with the linebackers was similar to what Sparty did in the 2nd half of the CCG but now OSU adjusted and killed them so I think Clemson needs to adjust. If they do hopefully we then start to pound Hyde.

I have no hope for our D though... I think we need to score on pretty much every possession in the 2nd half if we want to win.